Women politicians come together to mark the right to vote

6 February 2018

Tuesday 6 February 2018 is the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 receiving royal assent, which allowed some women to vote for the first time.

To mark this momentous occasion, celebrate how far politics has evolved towards gender equality, and to recognise how far the country still has to go, Southwark Council is flying the white, purple and green flag of the Suffragettes.

Southwark Council has four female cabinet members out of ten and 27 women councillors out of 63.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cllr Adele Morris and Cllr Jane Lyons, as senior women councillors in each political group, have come together to highlight the importance of women in power, each with their personal view of why 2018 is the best time for women to be involved in politics and what they have done, and are doing, for women in Southwark.

Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Deputy Leader of Southwark Council (Labour), said: “One hundred years ago today, women were given the right to vote. It is a time to remember the brave deeds of the women from the Suffragette movement who fought for our rights, many at great personal cost, some making the ultimate sacrifice. The fight for equality continues and those of us in public office today need to continue that fight for future generations of women and for a more equal society.”

Cllr Adele Morris, elected member for Cathedrals ward (Liberal Democrat), said: “We are indebted to those who fought for women to have the right to vote - something that many of us take for granted today. One hundred years on we still need to encourage more women from all backgrounds to stand for public office, to keep fighting for equality across all areas of life.”

Cllr Jane Lyons, elected member for Village ward (Conservative), said: “The centenary of women’s suffrage gives us a great focus on the issue of women’s voices being heard, and an opportunity to think about how far we've come. 2018 is the best time for women to be involved in politics because other women are already reaching out their hands to help them get where they want to be. In Southwark, women are a cross-party force, and today’s event underlines that. But there’s no suggestion that the job is anywhere near finished and the women of Southwark can help us achieve more.”